The San Francisco 49ers were Sporting News' preseason pick to win Super Bowl XLVII. With two weeks left in the regular season, they're back in the pole position.

Although second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick has provided a spark, the defense, anchored by the league's best front seven, has remained a constant. After getting the better of the Patriots in New England, the Niners are the third No. 1 in as many weeks (previous week in parenthesis).

(AP Photos)

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32. Kansas City Chiefs (last week: 32)

MVP: LB Derrick Johnson

The Chiefs are known for pass rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston at outside linebacker, but Johnson inside continues to be the best player in their 3-4. Johnson has played just as well this season after his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods in 2011.

(Ed Zurga/AP)

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31. Jacksonville Jaguars (31)

MVP: LB Paul Posluszny

Again, when you have an offensively challenged team, you look to a defensive producer as most valuable. There's no doubt that Posluszny, with his 122 tackles and three interceptions, has been active making plays all over the field.

(Wilfredo Lee/AP)

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30. Oakland Raiders (30)

MVP: LB Phillip Wheeler

The Raiders have gotten good linebacker play at times this season, so we'll mildly nominate Wheeler, who has 104 tackles, three sacks, five passes defended and two forced fumbles from the outside.

(Rhona Wise/AP)

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29. Arizona Cardinals (29)

MVP: LB Daryl Washington

There's nothing wrong with Washington and the defense, which has needed to overcome an anemic offense with a revolving quarterback door. Washington is the best player from a talented, relatively young group.

(Tom Gannam/AP)

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28. Buffalo Bills (27)

MVP: RB C.J. Spiller

Seriously, Spiller is the most underused dynamic back in recent history. It's mind-boggling why Buffalo doesn't see the light that he's the team's only offensive difference-maker.

(Bill Wippert/AP)

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27. Tennessee Titans (28)

MVP: RB Chris Johnson

Their offensive line has been ravaged by injuries, and second-year quarterback Jake Locker is struggling to find his way. Johnson keeps producing despite those facts.

(Jeff Roberson/AP)

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26. Detroit Lions (25)

MVP: WR Calvin Johnson

Johnson, with 1,667 yards needs a modest 182 in the final two games against the Falcons to break Jerry Rice's single-season receiving yardage record. He's working on being the most valuable offensive Lion of all time.

(Paul Connors/AP)

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25. Philadelphia Eagles (26)

MVP: LB DeMeco Ryans

We had to pick someone for them, and Ryans actually has been a strong pickup for a much-maligned defense that has been reorganized up front and is inconsistent on the back end.

(Ron Schwane/AP)

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24. San Diego Chargers (23)

MVP: S Eric Weddle

The quarterback of their offense, Philip Rivers has had another shaky season. So we'll go with the savvy playmaker who serves as the unofficial quarterback of their defense.

(Ed Zurga/AP)

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23. New York Jets (21)

MVP: CB Antonio Cromartie

Did anyone see Titans top wide receiver Kenny Britt make any plays Monday night? It's unfortunate that Cromartie's shutdown play with Darrelle Revis out of the defense has been all for naught because of an ugly Jets passing game.

(Bill Kostroun/AP)

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22. Cleveland Browns (19)

MVP: RB Trent Richardson

On a rookie-filled offense, Richardson is the straw that stirs the drink. If the Browns make a change away from Pat Shurmur, they need to look at someone who can get the most out of Richardson's great talent.

(Tony Dejak/AP)

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21. Carolina Panthers (24)

MVP: QB Cam Newton

There's nothing wrong with Newton's second season. As we've seen in the past two weeks, he's improved from his rookie year. He's a long-term keeper, as everyone already figured out in 2011.

(Denis Poroy/AP)

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20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (18)

MVP: WR Vincent Jackson

Josh Freeman and Doug Martin have gone into some slumps offensively. Jackson, however, has remained the constant as their hard-working, driven go-to guy who opens up everything else in the passing game.

(Brian Blanco/AP)

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19. St. Louis Rams (17)

MVP: CB Cortland Finnegan

Finnegan is an extension of coach Jeff Fisher's defensive leadership and feistiness on the field. The Rams have lived on their pass defense, both with Finnegan and rookie Janoris Jenkins at cornerback and Robert Quinn and Chris Long at defensive end.

(Tom Gannam/AP)

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18. New Orleans Saints (22)

MVP: QB Drew Brees

Brees leads the NFL in touchdown passes, but he'll be the first to tell you that's been a disappointing year for the offense, regardless of how poorly the defense has played at time. All he wants for Christmas is a return for Sean Payton next season.

(Bill Feig/AP)

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17. Miami Dolphins (20)

MVP: DE Cameron Wake

Wake's pass rush off the edge in a 4-3 has been remarkable, and it's opened the door to show that he can also be a dominant player against the run. The Dolphins' defense still has them mathematically alive in the AFC wild-card race.

(Ben Margot/AP)

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16. Chicago Bears (14)

MVP: LB Lance Briggs

Their defense has been damaged by injuries to Brian Urlacher and Tim Jennings. Julius Peppers has slowed down a bit on the pass rush. So there's no choice except Briggs from the backbone of their team.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

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15. Minnesota Vikings (16)

MVP: RB Adrian Peterson

Peterson is 294 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season record for rushing yards (2,105). The only way the Vikings can get into the playoffs is if he is able to shoot past that in tough matchups against Houston and Green Bay.

(Seth Perlman/AP)

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14. Cincinnati Bengals (15)

MVP: DT Geno Atkins

Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are the second-year offensive faces of the franchise, but the Bengals' defense is most responsible for having them in playoff position. That's especially true of their pass rush, powered by the dominant play of Atkins inside.

(Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

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13. Pittsburgh Steelers (11)

MVP: QB Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley haven't been on the same page all season. But you wouldn't know by the way Roethlisberger is dealing the ball all over the field to Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Heath Miller.

(Tony Gutierrez/AP)

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12. Dallas Cowboys (11)

MVP: QB Tony Romo

Romo isn't getting much criticism now, is he? He's carried his usual November hot play into a strong December and the Cowboys have a good chance at winning the NFC East if he keeps it up.

(Tony Gutierrez/AP)

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11. Washington Redskins (12)

MVP: QB Robert Griffin III

Sure, rookie running back Alfred Morris and rookie backup quarterback Kirk Cousins showed the Redskins aren't all just about RG3, but you can bet they'll be happy to have him back healthy for a surge into the playoffs.

(Patrick Semansky/AP)

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10. Indianapolis Colts (9)

MVP: QB Andrew Luck

Luck has struggled with turnovers and has taken a lot of hits behind the line. His numbers aren't pretty, but his veteran-like play in the fourth quarter of many games this season is the reason the Colts are a win away from a big surprise playoff berth.

(Eric Gay/AP)

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9. New York Giants (7)

MVP: WR Victor Cruz

Eli Manning is no longer close to the conversation for this award after his fade down the stretch. He has thrown for only 20 touchdown passes with 15 interceptions. So we'll go with the receiver who's made him look the best when he has been playing well.

(Bill Kostroun/AP)

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8. Baltimore Ravens (8)

MVP: RB Ray Rice

The Ravens have slipped to the point they still have a tough task at hand to win the AFC North. In their tricky matchups against the Giants and Bengals, they would be best served rolling with Rice as much as possible to take pressure off struggling Joe Flacco.

(Nick Wass/AP)

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7. Seattle Seahawks (10)

MVP: QB Russell Wilson

Marshawn Lynch also is a strong candidate, and there are many defensive players in Seattle who deserve honorable mentions. But it's the presence of a smooth, fearless young quarterback that's bound everything together to make the Seahawks a playoff team.

(Mike Groll/AP)

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6. Atlanta Falcons (6)

MVP: QB Matt Ryan

Ryan flew out of the gate as the early contender, and then had some midseason struggles. But he's turned it on again to put the Falcons on the brink of clinching home-field advantage in the playoffs.

(John Amis/AP)

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5. Green Bay Packers (5)

MVP: QB Aaron Rodgers

Remember last year's MVP, the mobile guy with the rifle arm? Just because the Packers aren't near-perfect in their record, doesn't mean Rodgers' play has suddenly dropped off. Considering the injuries that have riddled his offensive line, running backs and receiving corps, his work might be even more impressive this season.

(Nam Y. Huh/AP)

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4. Houston Texans (4)

MVP: DE J.J. Watt

Watt, with 19 1/2 sacks, is just 3 1/2 away from breaking Michael Strahan's single-season record. When you factor in his batted-down passes, forced fumbles and run-stopping prowess, he's back in control of defensive player of the year honors, and should have his way with Christian Ponder and Andrew Luck (again).

(Eric Gay/AP)

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3. New England Patriots (1)

MVP: QB Tom Brady

Brady led the charge to make it interesting against the Niners, even though other parts of the offense, the defense and the special teams broke down. That's pretty much why he is on the short list with Peyton Manning for league MVP. Now he'll need to deliver on the road in the playoffs.

(Steven Senne/AP)

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2. Denver Broncos (3)

MVP: QB Peyton Manning

Manning is making it look easy again, and he has a lot of help in doing so. Now that the running game is rolling, he should make quick work of the Browns and Chiefs before a likely marquee rematch with the Patriots at home in the divisional playoffs.

(Patrick Semansky/AP)

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1. San Francisco 49ers (2)

MVP: LB NaVorro Bowman

Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis also are in the Niners' elite linebacker corps, but Bowman is the all-around thumper who provides the glue. He's having a better season (128 tackles, two sacks, interception) than his All-Pro campaign last year.